Chelsea F.C.

Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, who has been sanctioned by the U.K., European Union and Canada after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, has started making plans to settle in Istanbul, according to local media.

Chelsea fans could have a clear idea of who will be the next owners of the Blues this week, with American bank Raine expected to reveal its preferred bidder from among three offers.

Raine was commissioned to lead the sale process by Roman Abramovich before the Russian was hit by U.K. government sanctions last month over his connections to Vladimir Putin.

Chelsea fans piled into the streets surrounding the Stamford Bridge ground of the new kings of European football following their 1-0 defeat of Manchester City in the Champions League final on May 29 in Portugal.    

Some lit flares as they sang and cheered the club's triumph earned thanks to Kai Havertz's first-half goal in Porto.

The proposed European Super League appeared dead in the water on April 21 after all six English clubs withdrew following a furious backlash from fans and threats from football authorities.

Chelsea recorded a loss of nearly 100 million ($132 million, 118 million euros) for the year ending June 30, according to financial results published by the Premier League club on Dec. 31.

Manchester United Jose Mourinho bemoaned old foe Antonio Conte's tactics as his side failed to breakdown Chelsea's defensive wall in losing the FA Cup final 1-0 on May 19.

Eleven months on from their last visit to Chelsea's Stamford Bridge, Paris Saint-Germain return on March 11 looking for confirmation of their place among the Champions League elite.
      

England's Premier League clubs spent a record 950 million pounds ($1.43 billion) on the August and January transfers this season even though spending in the winter window matched last year's figure of 130 million, according to accountancy firm Deloitte.
   

Some Chelsea fans thought manager Jose Mourinho had taken leave of his senses when he decided to bring the ageing Didier Drogba back to the club in the close season.
   
There was a feeling that the 36-year-old Ivorian was well past his best and that returning to Stamford Bridge might tarnish the legacy he left after a dazzling first spell with the Londoners.
   

British director and actor Richard Attenborough has died aged 90 after a sparkling career spanning six decades, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) said on Aug. 24.
      
"We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of esteemed filmmaker and former BAFTA President, Lord Attenborough," the organisation said in a statement.